Application Requirements

• Be a current Utah high school senior
• Utah residents only
• Unweighted high school GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Applied to the University of Utah by the priority deadline of Dec. 1, 2025
• Financial need is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply for FAFSA by the University of Utah’s priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2026.*
• Must be eligible for the For Utah Scholarship
• Commit to pursuing a major in Business
• Commit to maintaining academic standards according to your primary scholarship GPA

*To qualify for the First Ascent program, you must have high financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All First Ascent students must meet the low-income index requirement and complete the FAFSA each year to be considered. For more information about how to complete your FAFSA, including eligibility requirements and deadlines, please visit the University of Utah Financial Aid Office. When applying for federal or state financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen. Undocumented students do not qualify for federal financial aid and are unable to complete the FAFSA.

Application Process

Complete Application Form — Fill out the entire Application Form. When you are done, make sure that you digitally verify the application.

The application form will ask for the following:

• Transcript — You will upload a copy of your current academic transcript.
• Essay
  • What goals have you set for yourself in pursuing a college degree? How do you feel the First Ascent Scholars Program will help you achieve those goals? (250 word minimum)
  • What do you feel you are capable of when you think about yourself as a college student? What tools/skills do you feel you have that will aid you and others in the program? (250 word minimum)
  • Describe a time when you persisted through a challenging situation. What specific factors helped you persevere despite barriers? What did you learn from it? (250 word minimum)
  • OPTIONAL: Is there anything else you would like the committee to know about you that would let the committee know you better?
• Two Letters of Recommendation — You will enter the names of your references into the application form. A separate form will be sent to them individually to submit. (Do not include relatives as references.)
  • One letter must be from a member of your school’s faculty, staff or administration.
  • One letter can be from a person you know through academic, employment, or community leadership experience.
• Proof of demonstrated financial need — one of the following may be used:
  • • FAFSA Submission Summary
    • Copy of parent/guardian(s) employment and salary records

Letters of Recommendation

Recommenders will receive an email with a link to complete the recommendation form AFTER the applicant submits the application. The form requires recommenders to respond to the following questions. Separate letters of recommendation are not accepted and recommenders are asked to complete the form they receive.